Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Reading List: The Third Option

This is the second novel in the
Mitch Rapp
(warning—the article at this link contains minor spoilers)
series. Unlike the previous episode,
Transfer of Power (April 2009),
which involved a high-profile terrorist strike, this is much more of a
grudge match conducted in the shadows, with Rapp as much prey as
hunter and uncertain of whom he can trust. Flynn demonstrates he
can pull off this kind of ambiguous espionage story as well as the
flash-bang variety, and while closing the present story in a satisfying
way sets the stage for the next round of intrigue without resorting to
a cliffhanger.

Rapp's character becomes increasingly complex as the saga
unfolds, and while often conflicted he is mission-oriented
and has no difficulty understanding his job description.
Here he's reluctantly describing it to a congressman who
has insisted he be taken into confidence (p. 296):

“… I'm what you might call a counterterrorism
specialist.”

“Okay … and what, may I ask, does a counterterrorism
specialist do?”

Rapp was not well versed in trying to spin what he did, so he
just blurted out the hard, cold truth. “I kill
terrorists.”

“Say again?”

“I hunt them down, and I kill them.”

No nuance for Mr. Mitch!

This is a superbly crafted thriller which will make you hunger for
the next. Fortunately, there are seven sequels already published
and more on the way. See my comments on the
first installment for additional details and a
link to an interview with the author. The montage on the cover of
the paperback edition I read uses a biohazard sign (☣)
as its background—I have no idea why—neither disease
nor biological weapons figure in the story in any way. Yes, I've been
reading a lot of thrillers recently—summer's comin' and
'tis the season for light and breezy reading. I'll reserve
Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell
for the dwindling daylight of autumn, if you don't mind.